Mark 7--what's the parable?

[freespiritchurch]

In Mark 7, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and says, "Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean."

Then his disciples ask him to explain the "parable." How is this a parable? I have a theory (of course).

The parable is followed by an encounter between Jesus and a Gentile woman whose faith leads to healing. Is it possible that the parable of the man is a parable for the church: nothing outside the church can make us unclean by coming in; rather, it is what comes out of the church that makes us unclean.

What do you think? Criticisms/alternative interpretations would be helpful, especially if you post them before I preach on this passage tomorrow (!)

Alan

 

[sunlover1]

I have nothing.

But wanted to post anyhow

Mark 7:14-24
14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand:
15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.
16 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

This parable right?




17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

3850 parabolh, parabole {par-ab-ol-ay'}
Meaning:
1) a placing of one thing by the side of another, juxtaposition, as of ships in battle 2) metaph.
2a) a comparing, comparison of one thing with another, likeness, similitude
2b) an example by which a doctrine or precept is illustrated
2c) a narrative, fictitious but agreeable to the laws and usages of human life, by which either the duties of men or the things of God, particularly the nature and history of God's kingdom are figuratively portrayed
2d) a parable: an earthly story with a heavenly meaning
3) a pithy and instructive saying, involving some likeness or comparison and having preceptive or admonitory force
3a) an aphorism, a maxim
4) a proverb
5) an act by which one exposes himself or his possessions to danger, a venture, a risk ​

18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: {covetousness...: Gr. covetousnesses, wickednesses}
23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
24 And from thence he arose,

Matthew 12:34
for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Sounds like it will be a great talk though.

 

[mark kennedy]

In this case I think parable means something a lot more like proverb. My handy, dandy E Sword Barnes commenatray has this to say about the us of the word 'parable'.

The parable - The “obscure” and difficult remarks which he had made in Mar_7:15. The word “parable,” here, means “obscure” and “difficult saying.”

We are used to the disciples asking about the meaning of a story like the kingdom parables but they were really asking here about the Levetical laws. It's not that Jesus was not concerned about cleanliness, if you recall he did wash the disciples feet at the last supper. Peter mistook what Jesus was saying about washing his feet and said for Jesus to wash all of him. Jesus says, but Peter, only your feet are dirty (if you'll pardon the paraphrase)

Could Jesus be talking about something else like the Church, only what comes from within defiles? I don't know but it sounds pretty reasonable if you wanted to take it that far. I think this is like straining the gnat and swallowing the camel or wash the outside of the cup first.

Interesting theory though, I'm not sure that would be the primary meaning of the text if that's what you mean.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[JTLauder]

To understand this "parable" we need to look at the context in which it was given, specifically, Mark 7:1-23.

What started all this was that the disciples were eating without first washing their hands. That's what Mark 7:2 explains what the Pharisees had accused the disciples of doing something "defiled" or "unclean". And as typical, the Pharisees criticized Jesus and his disciples for not following tradition.
So Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for being so rigid to the laws created by man and ignoring God's commandments (Mark 7:6-13).

It was then that Jesus called the crowd to him and gave this short parable (Mark 7:14-16). The fact that Jesus called the crowd to him would suggest that they were not in earshot of the earlier exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees. So from the crowd's perspective, they did not know what lead Jesus to say this parable, but saw it only as a general teaching from Jesus.

But as Jesus explained to the disciples (Mark 7:17-23), he was saying that it's not what the Pharisees were so concerned about regarding eating with dirty hands and breaking tradition that was bad. What is really bad is the attitude of their hearts and the actions that reflect their heart condition. In essence, Jesus was calling the Pharisees hypocrites, and he did so with a generic parable for the crowd to learn as well.

As with all teaching, we can apply it to our lives personally. It can also apply to the large Christian community if we find the Church becoming like the Pharisees and ignoring God's commands by being rigid to man-made religious and church traditions and rules. But I believe it starts with each individual. The lesson of the parable is that we should be more concerned with following God's commands than trying to following religious tradition and church rules.

 

[Cribstyl]

To understand this "parable" we need to look at the context in which it was given, specifically, Mark 7:1-23.

What started all this was that the disciples were eating without first washing their hands. That's what Mark 7:2 explains what the Pharisees had accused the disciples of doing something "defiled" or "unclean". And as typical, the Pharisees criticized Jesus and his disciples for not following tradition.
So Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for being so rigid to the laws created by man and ignoring God's commandments (Mark 7:6-13).

It was then that Jesus called the crowd to him and gave this short parable (Mark 7:14-16). The fact that Jesus called the crowd to him would suggest that they were not in earshot of the earlier exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees. So from the crowd's perspective, they did not know what lead Jesus to say this parable, but saw it only as a general teaching from Jesus.

But as Jesus explained to the disciples (Mark 7:17-23), he was saying that it's not what the Pharisees were so concerned about regarding eating with dirty hands and breaking tradition that was bad. What is really bad is the attitude of their hearts and the actions that reflect their heart condition. In essence, Jesus was calling the Pharisees hypocrites, and he did so with a generic parable for the crowd to learn as well.

As with all teaching, we can apply it to our lives personally. It can also apply to the large Christian community if we find the Church becoming like the Pharisees and ignoring God's commands by being rigid to man-made religious and church traditions and rules. But I believe it starts with each individual. The lesson of the parable is that we should be more concerned with following God's commands than trying to following religious tradition and church rules.

Iim in total agreement

Crib

 

[intricatic]

I dunno if I have anything relevant to add, but I noticed this;

9 He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
(Mark 7)

I had just read from somewhere (can't remember where) that in Judaism, that law has never been enforced - they interpreted it so strictly that it would never be possible to enforce it, and it probably never will be enforced.

Okay, just my pointless addition. Apologies! lol

 

[daveleau]

In Mark 7, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees and says, "Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean."

Then his disciples ask him to explain the "parable." How is this a parable? I have a theory (of course).

The parable is followed by an encounter between Jesus and a Gentile woman whose faith leads to healing. Is it possible that the parable of the man is a parable for the church: nothing outside the church can make us unclean by coming in; rather, it is what comes out of the church that makes us unclean.

What do you think? Criticisms/alternative interpretations would be helpful, especially if you post them before I preach on this passage tomorrow (!)

Alan

Hi Alan,

In studying this, it appears they are referring to verse 15. It may not look like a parable to us, but the aspect of something coming out of someone and making them unclean was a very foreign concept to the Jewish people because they were so concentrated on ritual purity. So, this was a puzzle to them. The disciples were so confused by this, that they understood it to be a riddle, when it appears plainly stated to us. Their use of the word 'parable' heightens their description of total misunderstanding of Jesus' teaching here.

In Him,
Dave

 

[marshgreencohen]

for me it means that whatever you eat,how unclean it is,the most important thing to watch out for is what we say out of our mouth.cursing and mocking mean nothing but sinning.

 

[childofGod31]

This parables means - what ever comes into your body -food - doesn't defile you. But whatever comes OUT - (words) - those are the ones that make you a sinner or defile you.

Jews were not supposed to eat unclean meat. But Jesus is saying: don't worry about what you eat, it's ok. Worry about what you do and say. That's what actually matters to God.

 

[Steve Petersen]

For a good discussion on this passage:

http://efas.wordpress.com/

 

[Steve Petersen]

For anyone interested in the topic of parables, I would recommend:

The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation, by Dr. Brad Young.

Dr. Young makes the point repeatedly that parables are meant to make ONLY ONE point.